Baara's Dreams

Chapter 4

That night, Baara slept a dreamless sleep for the first time since her capture. From the moment she laid her head on the mat until the cock crew, she did not stir. When she awoke, she felt refreshed and ready to face what the day might bring.

After dressing quickly, Baara moved into the courtyard to await Naaman's exit from her mistress's chamber. As she sat under the olive tree, she focused most of her mind on Yahweh, reserving a small part of her consciousness to watch for activity near Maacah's room. This morning her mind was overflowing with thanksgiving. While her rift with Maacah had not been healed, Baara felt at peace after yesterday's opportunity to minister to the mistress who had given her so much. The Psalms she sang in her mind were ones of thanksgiving and praise.

After thanking God for his graciousness, Baara prayed for her mistress. She prayed that sleep had healed her pain and restored her to health. As she prayed for Maacah, Baara remembered her restful night and knew the peace that had allowed her to sleep had come from Yahweh. Unbidden, her mother's voice echoed through her mind, reciting words from both King David and King Solomon, words that reminded Baara that God provides peaceful slumber to those who trust in Him.

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 3:8) Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror. Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence..." (Proverbs 3:21b-26a)

As the words echoed in Baara's mind, she recognized that the sweet, dreamless sleep of the previous night had come because she had given Yahweh her fear. When she claimed God as her salvation and her shield, she had surrendered to Him the burden of fear that had haunted her nights since the raid on her home. Her anger at God and her feeling of betrayal had kept her from His peace and had filled her nights with terror. Only after she poured out her pain to God, could He bring her the comfort she needed. She had shut Him out with a wall of anger and bitterness, even while refusing to worship other gods. Until she talked to Yahweh about her feelings, she had clung to her religion not because she worshipped God but because she had been afraid of Him. She had been afraid He might bring retribution on her for some unnamed sin. She had not recognized His love for her. Only after the dream had she recognized Yahweh's hand of protection in Naaman's timely arrival. While she still did not understand God's ways or His reasons, she did trust Him with her past as well as her future.

So thankful was Baara for her deliverance from the nightmares that she wanted to burst forth in song. Not wishing to disturb the others, she contented herself by humming softly, "I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter his courts with praise..."

As she hummed, Baara saw Naaman leave his room. Glancing her way, he nodded slightly and continued on his way without any formal acknowledgement. At this, Baara's heart lifted because she knew his actions meant Maacah was better. She could go and tend her mistress without fear that she was still suffering from the ailment that had caused so much pain and distress.

When Baara entered the room, she found Maacah sitting up on the shelf that served as a bed. Her countenance was pale as she rested against the wall. As Baara turned to the water jar, Maacah's soft voice stopped her.

"You will have to refill the jar before you can serve me," Maacah said. "Naaman said he used the last during the night to keep my brow cool."

"Then the pain continued through the night?" Baara questioned.

"If it did, I was unaware," Maacah answered. "The last memory I have is of you messaging my back while you hummed a haunting melody. I do not remember drifting into sleep or Naaman returning to the room. When I awoke a few minutes ago, I was surprised to learn it was morning. The pain is gone, leaving me weak but otherwise fine. But the melody you hummed wove itself through my sleep, somehow seeming to soothe the pain. What was the song, child?"